Hair curling apparatus with a flattened curling section

ABSTRACT

A curling device is useful for styling hair. The device includes a flattened curling section configured to create a zig-zag pattern in the hair being treated. The flattened curling section comprising a flat plate, which includes a wide flat face section and thin side walls around an outside edge of the flat face section.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This disclosure is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/693,824 filed on Apr. 22, 2015 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/983,432 filed on Apr. 23, 2014, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is related to an object for use in hair styling. In particular, the disclosure is related to a set hair curling devices including a hair curling contact surface with a rectangular cross-section.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure. Accordingly, such statements are not intended to constitute an admission of prior art.

Hair curling devices are used to provide hair styles where the hair is treated and retains a particular shape for a period of time. In one example, a curling iron is a device that has an elongated hair curling contact surface, typically in round cross-section, with a clamp arm. Within the elongated hair curling contact surface, a curling iron typically includes a heating element, wherein electrical power is used to generate heat which is applied to the hair being curled through the elongated hair curling contact surface.

In another example, perm rods are known wherein hair is wrapped around an elongated hair curling contact surface of the perm rod, and hair styling chemicals are applied to the hair. Once the hair is removed from the perm rod, the hair retains a shape provided by the perm rod.

SUMMARY

A curling device is useful for styling hair. The device includes a flattened curling section configured to create a zig-zag pattern in the hair being treated. The flattened curling section comprising a flat plate, which includes a wide flat face section and thin side walls around an outside edge of the flat face section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary perm rod with a flattened curling section, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates the perm rod of FIG. 1 in profile, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates the perm rod of FIG. 1 being used in a person's hair, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary pattern in hair that can be created with a curling device with a flattened curling section, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary curling device with a flattened curling section which tapers toward an end of the device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A illustrates an additional exemplary cross-section that a device with a flattened curling section can exhibit with rectangular short sides, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B illustrates an additional exemplary cross-section that a device with a flattened curling section can exhibit with angled points on the short sides, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6C illustrates an additional exemplary cross-section that a device with a flattened curling section can exhibit with curved short sides, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6D illustrates an additional exemplary cross-section that a device with a flattened curling section can exhibit with a crushed oval profile, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an additional embodiment of a device with a flattened curling section, including at least one spring-clip device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a curling iron including a flattened curling section, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates in cross-section a flattened curling section from a curling iron including a heating element, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative exemplary flat iron curling device being used to curl hair, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates in detail the exemplary flat iron curling device of FIG. 10, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary additional embodiment of a hair curling device with a flattened curling section, the device including a metallic core surrounded by a polymeric outer surface, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 illustrates the hair curling device of FIG. 13 in profile, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hair stylists have used hair curling devices such as curling irons and perm rods for years. Historically, shampoos would leave hair dry and brittle. Further, hair styling chemicals historically would include harsh properties that would further damage hair and cause hair to be particularly fragile and susceptible to damage. Corresponding curling devices included round shapes which would style the hair with only gently curved shapes. Whereas abrupt or sharp angles in the hair, coupled with the damaging shampoo and/or hair styling chemicals, would cause permanent damage to the hair, the round shapes of the curling devices were useful to be gentle with the brittle hair.

Modern hair care products have evolved significantly over the years. Shampoos and conditioners have been developed that provide for more resilient hair than was possible in the past. Shampoos are known now to include chemicals like keratin that strengthen and improve flexibility of hair. Chemical compositions of hair products have been modified to reduce harmful chemicals such as ammonia and carefully control pH to protect the hair. Additionally, substitutes have been developed to replace harsh surfactant such as sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate and to replace use of sodium chloride as a thickening agent. As a result, the healthier, more flexible hair cleaned and conditioned with modern hair products can be styled, permed, or bent in ways that hair could not be styled in the past.

A hair curling apparatus is disclosed, wherein a hair curling contact surface of the apparatus around which the hair is wrapped includes a flattened curling section. In one embodiment, the flattened curling section includes a rectangular cross-section. In another embodiment, the flattened curling section includes a rectangular cross-section with curved edges. In another embodiment, the flattened curling section includes a cross-section including two substantially parallel long sides attached by two short sides. Hair treated or styled with the apparatus results in a hair pattern that includes a sharp-edged zig-zag pattern

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary perm rod with a flattened curling section. Perm rod 200 is illustrated including flattened curling section 210. Holes 220 can be optionally provided in section 210 to permit chemicals to be applied to an permeate hair wrapped around flattened curling section 210. Retention barbs 230 are provided to permit a retention band 240 with retention barb holes 245 to be affixed to perm rod 200, thereby securing the wrapped hair for a period while the chemicals are applied to the hair.

Perm rod 200 can be constructed of any material known in the art to not adversely react to the chemicals applied to the hair and known in the art for use in cosmetic products. Any number of polymers, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, or polypropylene, can be used to create the body of the perm rod. Non-reactive metals or metals coated with acrylic, rubber, or any other barrier agent can additionally be utilized. Retention band 240 can include any flexible, stable material, such as rubber, that does not react to the chemicals being used on the hair. Retention barbs 230 can be molded upon the perm rod 200 or can be attached to the perm rod. Holes 220 can be molded into the perm rod 200 or drilled as a secondary process to forming the perm rod.

FIG. 2 illustrates the perm rod of FIG. 1 in profile. Perm rod 200 is illustrated including retention barb 230 and side section 250. Perm rod 200 can be any length or any width or thickness. In one embodiment, the perm rod 200 can be very thin, with side section 250 being very small. in another embodiment, side section 250 can be close to or equal to a width of the flat curling section 210. A plurality of different sizes of perm rods can be provided as a single set, for example, giving a hair stylist different options when styling customers' hair.

FIG. 3 illustrates the perm rod of FIG. 1 being used in a person's hair. Hair 285 including wrapped hair 288 is illustrated wrapped around perm rod 200. Chemicals 290 can be applied to the hair. In one embodiment, paper strips can be used to protect and/or secure the hair during the curling process. In one embodiment, the hair 288 can be wrapped with paper at an end of the hair toward the bottom of perm rod 200. In one embodiment, the hair 288 can be wrapped with paper at a base of the hair near a top of perm rod 200. The non-limiting illustrated process to use perm rod 200 is exemplary, and a number of different methods to curl hair with the disclosed device are envisioned.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary pattern in hair that can be created with a curling device with a flattened curling section. Hair pattern 300 created with a curling device with a flattened curling section is illustrated including long straight sections 310 and bend section 320. The hair, originally shaped around a flattened curling section, pulls down from the weight of the hair when the curling device is removed and results in a zig-zag pattern, as illustrated. Different methods of using the disclosed device can result in other exemplary hair patterns, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples provided.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary curling device with a flattened curling section which tapers toward an end of the device. Curling device 400 includes a flattened curling section 410. In one embodiment, a curling device can include a tapered end 420 to the flattened curling section, for example, permitting a stylist to change a length of the long flat sections of the zig-zag pattern in the hair being styled.

FIG. 6A illustrates an additional exemplary cross-section that a device with a flattened curling section can exhibit with rectangular short sides. Device 500 is illustrated including flattened curling section 510 and two rectangular edges 520.

FIG. 6B illustrates an additional exemplary cross-section that a device with a flattened curling section can exhibit with angled points on the short sides. Device 530 is illustrated including flattened curling section 540 and two angled, pointed edges 550.

FIG. 6C illustrates an additional exemplary cross-section that a device with a flattened curling section can exhibit with curved short sides. Device 560 is illustrated including flattened curling section 570 and two arcuate or rounded edges 580. While FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate flattened curling sections with two parallel surfaces, one will appreciate that the surfaces need not be parallel to each other in accordance with the present disclosure.

A number of different cross-sections for flattened curling devices are envisioned. In another embodiment, a flattened oval or race-track shape can be used for the cross-section of a device with a flattened curling section. FIG. 6D illustrates an additional exemplary cross-section that a device with a flattened curling section can exhibit with a crushed oval profile. Device 590 is illustrated including flattened curling section 592 including slightly arcuate surfaces and two arcuate or rounded edges 594. In so far as device 590 is created through injection molding processes, inserts creating alternating depressions in the surfaces of device 590 can be used to maintain substantially even wall thicknesses throughout the device in accordance with known best practices in injection molding while still substantially maintaining the oval profile of the device illustrated in FIG. 6D. In one embodiment, a flattened or crushed oval shape still providing flattened curling sections, in profile, includes an 4 to 1 width to thickness ratio, the width defining the long straight sections in the resulting hair style and the thickness of the material defining the geometry of the bend sections in the resulting hair style. In another embodiment, a flattened or crushed oval shape still providing flattened curling sections, in profile, includes an 10 to 1 width to thickness ratio. In one embodiment, a flattened or crushed oval shape still providing flattened curling sections, in profile, includes an 15 to 1 width to thickness ratio.

Flat irons are devices known in the art for straightening hair. Flat irons typically have one or two heating elements in planar arrangement which are closed over hair. When the hair is heated within the planar arrangement, the hair straightens. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an additional embodiment of a device with a flattened curling section, including at least one spring-clip device. FIG. 7A shows flat iron curling device 600 in profile, and FIG. 7B shows flat iron curling device 600 from a frontal view. Device 600 includes flattened curling section 610 as a substantially rectangular body along which hair can be wrapped. Curling section 610 includes edges 612 in accordance with the edges disclosed herein, wherein hair wrapped around section 610 exhibits long sections separated by bend sections. Clip 620 is provided to hold one end of the hairs being wrapped. Exemplary secondary clip 630 is illustrated for holding a second end of the hairs being wrapped, although clip 630 can be replaced by any number of methods or devices for holding hair to device 600. In one embodiment, clip 620 is removed and replaced with a second clip 630 or a similar retention device. Hair wrapped around device 600 can be treated, for example, with a known flat iron device, which presses flat heated sections on either side of the hair. Such a flat iron device, applied to both sides of the hair wrapped around device 600, would press the hair and cause it to temporarily take the shape of hair as treated by devices disclosed herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative exemplary flat iron curling device being used to curl hair. Flat iron curling device 900 is illustrated including flattened curling section 910 and handle section 920. Hair 930 is illustrated wrapped around flattened curling section 910. Flat iron 940 a is illustrated including two halves 941 a and 942 a. At least one of halves 941 a and 942 a include a heating element 943 a. As the two halves 941 a and 942 a are opened at hinge 944 a, hair 930 wrapped around flattened curling section 910 can be placed between the halves 941 a and 942 a, and heat can be applied to hair 930. Electrical power is supplied to flat iron 940 a through power cord 945 a. In this way, heat can be applied to hair wrapped around a flattened curling section in methods in accordance with the disclosure. Clip 630 can be used to hold an end of hair 930.

Flat iron curling devices can be made of any materials that can hold up to the temperatures applied by the flat iron, such as metal or polymers.

Flat iron 940 a, typical to known flat iron designs, is illustrated with long thin halves 941 a and 942 a. A hair stylist using flat iron 940 a with flat iron curling device 900 would need to us the flat iron at multiple locations along hair 930. Flat iron 940 b is disclosed herein as a customized flat iron for use with the flat iron curling devices as disclosed herein. Two halves 941 b and 942 b open at hinge 944 b. At least one of the halves includes a heating element 943 b, which is supplied electrical power through power cord 945 b. Two halves 941 b and 942 b are arranged at a 90 degree angle from the halves of flat iron 940 a. Both halves 941 b and 942 b are arranged in parallel to a longitudinal axis or an axis defined by the rotation of hinge 944 b. By using flat iron 940 b and the heating elements substantially aligned with the length of flattened curling section 910, a hair stylist can heat all of hair 930 with a minimal number of applications of flat iron 940 b.

FIG. 11 illustrates in detail the exemplary flat iron curling device of FIG. 10. Flat iron curling device 900 is illustrated including handle section 920 and flattened curling section 910. Handle section 920 can take any form convenient for a person to hold a handle. Flattened curling section 910 can include any cross-section in accordance with the disclosure. Optional rubberized band 905 is illustrated as an alternative to clip 630 for securing hair at the end of flattened curling section 910.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a curling iron including a flattened curling section. Curling device 710 includes base section 750, flattened curling section 730, clamping arm 720, and clamping arm handle 740. Base section 750 includes a cord that can be plugged into an electrical socket and transfers electrical power to a heating unit within flattened curling section 730. Clamping arm 720 and clamping arm handle 740 are typically a single piece, wherein force applied to handle 740 moves arm 720. Clamping arm 720 is attached to base 750 at hinge 770. The clamping arm 720 is typically spring loaded to be pressed against flattened curling section 730. Hair wound around flattened curling section 730 and clamped with clamping arm 720 is pressed into a curled shape mimicking the flattened curling section. The exemplary flattened curling section 730 is illustrated with a rectangular cross-section.

FIG. 9 illustrates in cross-section a flattened curling section from a curling iron including a heating element. Curling device 800 is illustrated with flattened curling section 810 shown in cut-away cross-section. Heating element 830 is illustrated within flattened curling section 810. In one embodiment, heating element 830 is a ceramic heating element. In another embodiment, heating element 830 includes a series of resistive metal strips that heat as current is run through them. In another embodiment, heating element 830 includes a PCB heat bed, a flexible heater, or other flat heating element known in the art. Clamping arm 820 is illustrated. Device 800 includes exemplary rounded edges 840 to flattened curling section 810. Sides 842 of arm 820 can but need not wrap around a portion of edges 840.

The device of FIG. 1 can be constructed with a flat plate. A single device such as the exemplary device of FIG. 1 can be used either or both as a perm rod for use with curling chemicals and for use with a hot iron, such as is illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary additional embodiment of a hair curling device with a flattened curling section, the device including a metallic core surrounded by a polymeric outer surface. Device 1000 is illustrated, including flattened curling section 1010 which provides a wide flat face section with thin side walls, this flattened curling section providing an ability to curl hair in accordance with the methods disclosed herein and with the resulting exemplary appearance of FIG. 4. Device 1000 includes a metallic core 1012, providing rigidity and thermal conductivity. Device 1000 further includes a polymeric coating 1013 surrounding the metallic core 1012. The polymeric coating 1013 can be constructed of any polymer for use with hair products. In an exemplary embodiment wherein device 1000 is intended for hybrid or multi-purpose applications including both curling with chemical curling products (perm rod use, e.g. similar to device of FIG. 1) and with use of a hot iron (e.g. similar to device of FIG. 10), polymeric coating 1013 can include a polymer selected to withstand temperatures in excess of 500 degrees F. and selected to be used with known curling chemicals (i.e., to not dissolve or cause negative impacts to neighboring hair when exposed to curling chemicals.) An exemplary polymeric coating 1013 can be made with silicone. Retention barbs 1030 can optionally be provided either at a top or a bottom of device 1000 to enable one to fasteningly secure an elastic band or similar device to device 1000 so as to retain hair in place during the curling process. Holes 1020 are optionally provided for heat and/or chemical transfer. FIG. 13 illustrates the hair curling device of FIG. 13 in profile 4. Device 1000 including flat curling section 1010 includes metallic core 1012 and polymeric coating 1013 surrounding the metallic core 1012. Retention barb 1030 and holes 1020 are illustrated.

Any of the curling devices disclosed herein can optionally include holes in a flat curling surface and/or a flat metallic plate surrounded by a polymeric coating.

The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications of those embodiments. Further modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A curling device used to style hair, the device comprising: a flattened curling section configured to create a zig-zag pattern in the hair being treated, the flattened curling section comprising a flat plate, comprising: a wide flat face section; and thin side walls.
 2. The curling device of claim 1, wherein the flat plate is constructed of a material selected from one of a polymer or a metal, the material being selected to both withstand temperatures of at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit and to be used with curling chemicals without damaging the hair.
 3. The curling device of claim 2, wherein the flat plate comprises a metallic core section and a polymeric coating.
 4. The curling device of claim 3, wherein the polymeric coating comprises a silicone coating.
 5. The curling device of claim 2, wherein the flattened curling section comprises a rectangular cross section.
 6. The curling device of claim 2, wherein the flattened curling section comprises rounded edge surfaces.
 7. The curling device of claim 2, wherein the flattened curling section comprises a flattened oval cross section including, in profile, a width to thickness ratio of at least 4 to
 1. 8. The curling device of claim 2, wherein the flattened curling section comprises a tapered end.
 9. The curling device of claim 2, wherein the curling device comprises a multi-purpose device configured for use as a perm rod and as a curling device for use with a hot iron device.
 10. The curling device of claim 2, wherein the flattened curling section comprises a plurality of holes to permit hair treating chemicals to pass through the flattened curling section.
 11. A curling system used to style hair, the system comprising: a curling device comprising a flattened curling section configured to create a zig-zag pattern in the hair being treated, the flattened curling section comprising a flat plate constructed with materials configured to withstand high temperatures, comprising: a wide flat face section; and thin side walls; and a flat hot curling iron device comprising: a hinge; and two elongated heating elements arranged in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the hinge. 